Aerial Lift Course

Lesson 1 • Types of Aerial Lift Equipment

Identifies boom lifts, scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts, and personnel lifts by design and function. Distinguishes equipment categories to guide appropriate selection for job tasks.

Lesson 2 • Industry Applications and Work Environments

Maps aerial lift use across construction, warehousing, utilities, and maintenance sectors. Connects equipment type to environmental demands operators will encounter.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Framework and Compliance Obligations

Outlines occupational safety authority standards, manufacturer guidelines, and employer duties governing aerial lift use. Establishes the compliance baseline required throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Structural Components and Load-Bearing Elements

Examines chassis, platform, guardrails, outriggers, and stabilizers as structural elements. Connects component integrity to platform stability and rated capacity.

Lesson 2 • Hydraulic System Fundamentals

Explains hydraulic fluid circuits, cylinders, pumps, and relief valves as they apply to lift function. Enables operators to identify hydraulic faults during pre-operation checks.

Lesson 3 • Built-In Safety Devices and Interlocks

Identifies tilt sensors, overload indicators, pothole protection, and drive-height interlocks. Explains how each device prevents tip-over, overloading, and unintended movement.

Lesson 4 • Control Systems and Operator Interfaces

Details platform controls, ground controls, emergency stops, and proportional joystick systems. Prepares operators to navigate control panels confidently before live operation.

Lesson 1 • Inspection Documentation and Recordkeeping

Explains how to complete inspection logs, retain records, and meet regulatory documentation standards. Reinforces accountability and supports audit readiness.

Lesson 2 • Identifying and Reporting Defects

Trains operators to classify defects as safety-critical or maintenance-required and apply correct tagging procedures. Connects defect reporting to equipment removal from service.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Shift Inspection Procedures

Walks through a structured walkaround covering tires, fluids, structure, controls, and safety devices. Establishes inspection as the first mandatory step before every shift.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Communication and Worksite Briefings

Covers toolbox talks, pre-task briefings, and hazard signage as communication tools. Ensures all personnel share situational awareness before work begins.

Lesson 2 • Risk Assessment Methodology

Applies a likelihood-severity matrix to prioritize hazards and select appropriate controls. Connects risk ranking to the hierarchy of controls used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Worksite Hazard Identification

Covers overhead obstructions, ground conditions, energized lines, and pedestrian traffic as primary hazard categories. Builds systematic scanning habits operators apply on every job.

Lesson 4 • Environmental and Weather Hazards

Addresses wind speed limits, lightning risk, rain, ice, and extreme temperature effects on lift stability and traction. Establishes weather-based go/no-go decision criteria.

Lesson 1 • Load Management and Capacity Compliance

Explains rated platform capacity, load distribution, and the effect of tools and materials on stability. Prevents overloading through practical calculation and visual checks.

Lesson 2 • Elevating and Working at Height

Teaches controlled lift sequences, body positioning, reach limits, and load placement while elevated. Reinforces the three-point contact and fall arrest system requirements.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Drive and Positioning Fundamentals

Covers travel posture, platform stowage, speed limits, and approach angles before entering the work area. Establishes safe movement habits that prevent collisions and tip-overs.

Lesson 4 • Operating Near Edges, Openings, and Drop-Offs

Addresses floor edges, floor openings, loading docks, and excavations as high-consequence proximity hazards. Applies minimum setback distances and spotter protocols.

Lesson 1 • Post-Incident Harness Retirement and Replacement

Explains mandatory retirement after a fall event, impact indicator activation, and replacement documentation. Prevents reuse of compromised fall protection equipment.

Lesson 2 • Harness Donning and Anchor Point Connection

Teaches correct donning sequence, fit adjustment, lanyard selection, and anchor point identification within the platform. Prevents improper connection that negates fall arrest function.

Lesson 3 • Fall Protection Regulatory Requirements

Outlines mandatory fall protection triggers, guardrail standards, and personal fall arrest system requirements for aerial work. Establishes the non-negotiable compliance baseline.

Lesson 4 • Full-Body Harness Selection and Inspection

Covers harness classes, component identification, pre-use inspection criteria, and rejection standards. Ensures operators select and verify harness integrity before every use.

Lesson 1 • Medical Emergency and Suspension Trauma

Covers recognition of suspension trauma, first aid priorities, and emergency services notification. Addresses the time-critical nature of harness suspension after a fall arrest.

Lesson 2 • Incident Reporting and Investigation Basics

Outlines immediate notification duties, scene preservation, witness statements, and root cause documentation. Connects incident reporting to corrective action and future prevention.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Lowering and Rescue Procedures

Covers ground-level emergency lowering controls, manual descent systems, and rescue team coordination. Ensures operators and ground crews can retrieve a stranded platform occupant.

Lesson 4 • Power Failure and Mechanical Breakdown Response

Explains actions when hydraulic, electrical, or engine failure occurs at height. Covers manual override use, communication, and waiting for qualified rescue.

Lesson 1 • Practical Skills Evaluation Criteria

Defines observable performance standards for inspection, operation, hazard response, and fall protection tasks. Aligns evaluation criteria with regulatory competency requirements.

Lesson 2 • Recurrent Training and Reauthorization Triggers

Identifies retraining triggers including observed unsafe behavior, near-miss events, and periodic reauthorization intervals. Maintains operator competency over the full employment period.

Lesson 3 • Continuous Improvement and Safety Culture

Connects individual operator performance to site-wide safety culture, peer observation programs, and lessons-learned sharing. Positions certification as the start of a continuous improvement journey.

Lesson 4 • Authorization and Equipment-Specific Qualification

Explains employer authorization records, equipment-type-specific qualification, and site-specific endorsements. Prevents operators from using equipment types for which they are not qualified.